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Do you understand what Huntington's is like? If you do, how can you possibly choose a cell over a person like Phil??? Ray Phil Hardt, 50, of Mesa suffers from Huntington's disease. Leigh Shelle Robertus Tribune Mesa man's plight caps call for stem cell funds By Paul Giblin, Tribune January 12, 2007 Before he was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, Phil Hardt served as an operations specialist for aerospace company Honeywell International Inc. The Mesa resident's job was to instill and sharpen a business philosophy that strives for continuous improvement. A few years ago though, his own life began an unrelenting spiral of continuous decline. He spoke carelessly, spent money foolishly, forgot important appointments and made impulsive decisions that in no way were in accord with his Mormon faith. He sought medical help for his uncharacteristic and bizarre behavior. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with the genetic brain disorder that causes brain cells to degenerate and leads to the loss of intellectual faculties, uncontrolled movements and emotional disturbance. On Thursday, newly elected Rep. Harry Mitchell discussed Hardt's struggles during his first speech on the floor of the U.S. House. Mitchell, D-Ariz., spoke in favor of a measure he co-sponsored that calls for federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, a controversial practice that holds the potential to treat Huntington's disease and a variety of other ailments, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. "The people of my district understand that we have a moral obligation to invest in embryonic stem cell research because it provides the best hope for a cure for these diseases and many others," Mitchell said during his speech. "Last year, I met a fellow Arizonan who helped me understand just how important this fight for cures is to so many people and so many families. His name is Phil Hardt, and he suffers from Huntington's disease - a disease no person would ever want to have." After a string of speeches that featured many new Democratic members, the House voted 253-174 in support of the measure Thursday. The legislation is identical to a bill that the House and Senate approved, but President Bush vetoed last year. Bush has promised a second veto. The president and likeminded anti-abortion lawmakers cite moral objections to destroying human embryos. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., oppose the measure because it would use federal funding derived in part from taxpayers who object to the research. Hardt, 50, said he was pleased to see the House action Thursday, but for him, it's already too late. "I've lost everything I had to this," Hardt said. Disease-related impulsive decisions led to his divorce after 27 years of marriage, he said. He's no longer the father he used to be to his eight children, who range in age from 11 to 31. "It's not the same," he said. "They wonder why I'm not there. They wonder why dad is not home. 'Why can't you do this with us,' or, 'why can't you do that with us anymore?' Hardt is no longer employed and no longer drives. He sometimes loses his balance and slurs his speech. His feet, arms, legs and head move uncontrollably. And he knows his condition will worsen. The movements will increase. He'll completely lose his memory, his ability to concentrate and eventually the ability to swallow. He wants no part of it. Months ago, he had the initials "DNR" tattooed to the insides of both arms where IV tubes would be inserted, so medical personnel will let him die in the event of an emergency. "I have no hope," he said. "If I were to be in a car accident, I don't want to be resuscitated to come back to live more of this hell." He plans to use whatever useful time he has left, perhaps a year or two, to raise awareness of the disease and support for embryonic stem cell research. During the fall political campaign, Hardt was introduced to actor and embryonic stem cell research advocate Michael J. Fox during a Tempe campaign rally in support of Mitchell and unsuccessful Democratic Senate candidate Jim Pederson. Fox suffers from Parkinson's disease. "I applaud Harry for putting his money where his mouth is," Hardt said after the speech. "He mentioned during his press conferences that he would support that. And it gives me great pleasure seeing him doing exactly what he said he would do." Last year, Flake spoke in favor of Bush's veto, which denied federal funding for new lines of embryonic stem cells, but allowed private funding for such work. "Until we come to a greater consensus on the ethical bounds of embryonic stem cell research, we need to be mindful of those who are morally opposed to having their tax dollars used to fund such research," he said. "I believe the president has sought to strike such a balance, and I commend him for doing so," Flake said. Mitchell's first speech was fitting, said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who has served as Mitchell's mentor. "He has demonstrated very early on, in his first week, that he is following through with the commitments he made to his constituents to fight for issues that were important to them, like stem cell research. And to speak out, not to be sitting on the sidelines," Schiff said. Thursday's vote lacks the two-thirds majority the House would need to override a second presidential veto. What would the bill would do? Lift President Bush's ban on federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines derived after Aug. 9, 2001. Some medical professionals argue lines derived before that date are insufficient for adequate research. What are embryonic stem cells? Cells with potential to be developed into specific adult cells such as bone, muscle, liver or blood cells. Where do they come from? Fertilized embryos that are produced by in vitro fertilization. They are about five days old and can be kept frozen. What otherwise happens to them? Surplus embryos are discarded if they are not donated to help other infertile couples or used for research. How might they be used to treat disease? Ailments such juvenile onset diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease occur because of defects in one of just a few cells types. Replacing faulty cells with healthy ones offers hope of lifelong treatment. Also, failing hearts and other organs, in theory, could be shored up by injecting healthy cells to replace damaged or diseased cells. What is the chief moral objection? The White House issued a statement that the bill "would use federal taxpayer dollars to support and encourage the destruction of human life for research." Others argue that such research demonstrates a disregard for the sanctity of life. Are there alternatives? Some medical professionals argue in favor of adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and placentas. Sources: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Congress, White House ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn